CROSS COUNTRY SEASON KICKS OFF IN STYLE

North Somerset AC had the best turn out in several years with 57 runners representing the club at the recent Gwent Cross Country League in Cardiff. The quality of the fields in each race was high with the race being combined with the National Cross Challenge series of races.

First up were the under 11 boys and girls, with most of the NSAC athletes making their debut for the club. Each and every one gave it their all and did the club proud in races with over 100 competitors. In the girls race Millie Redman was the outstanding performer running superbly to make the top ten. Rowan Preen ran a great race to lead the boys team home with Ben Kelly close behind. A big well done to all the u11s, Peter, Zach, Jacob, Zeki, Ben, Isaac, Rowan, Dawid, Romany, Rosa, Lavanna, Leah, Willow, Mille, Ellie and Esther.

The under 13s took on the undulating 1.75 mile course with 14 competing from the club. The girls race saw good packing with Keira Devereux leading the team home closely followed by Daisy, Abigail and Grace. They were backed up with good runs from Poppy, Isabella, Simone and Abigail. The boys race saw one of the clubs highlights of the day. Ollie Campbell, who only began running for the club in August, and running his first individual race for the club, showing no fear Ollie set off in the lead and held this for some time. Despite not being able to hold the lead he still managed to finish an impressive 8th place through great competitive attitude and sheer determination. Ollie was backed up by the rest of the team with strong runs from Reuben, Will, Louie, Alexander and Sam.

The under15s also had a good turnout with 16 club runners across the two races. A big mention has to go to the under 15 boys for having our highest number of competitors across the age groups, with 10. They were led home by the experienced and every dependable Ollie Lock who ran a fine race. The many debutantes in this age group was pleasing to see and this bodes well for the rest of the season.

Well done to Cameron, Louis, Max, Callum, Alfie, Jamie P, Will, Emile and Jamie V. In the girls under 15’s Steph Brooks ran hard from the gun and was first in for the club closely followed by Ella Johnston who ran her race with great maturity moving through the field as her competitors tired. There was good running from all the girls, Alysha, Ellie and Holly but special mention goes to Victoria making her cross country debut for the club and ran a great race.

The under 17 & under 20 races saw 7 members of the club compete, well done to Will, Callum, Isobel, Megan, Alys and Joe who all ran hard in races run at a pulsating pace due to the high standard of the fields.

The senior team of Katie Hooper, James Adams and Andrew Devereux completed the days races and all did really well over tough 7k and 10k courses respectively.